Criminal justice reforms headed to governor

3:19 PM,
Mar. 20, 2014

Gov. Phil Bryant meets with The Clarion-Ledger Editorial Board.

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After some last-minute work to create a marijuana trafficking law, a package of criminal justice reforms aimed at reducing prison population, cost and recidivism is now headed to the governor to be signed into law.

The reforms include providing more discretion for judges to determine criminal sentences and alternatives to prison, and expanded use of drug courts, which have shown progress in reducing recidivism and further substance abuse. The new laws would crack down on those dealing large amounts of drugs - based on weight - while lowering sentences for possession or trafficking small ...